Metal and concrete structure for flooring and similar purposes



B. A. PRINCE Oct. 18,1927.

METAL AND CONCRETE STRUCTURE FOR FLOORING AND SIMILAR PURPOSES FiledFeb. 21. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet ,1

INVENTOR .Eurion A. Prince ATTORNEY 0 B. A. PRINCE METAL AmcoucasmSTRUCTURE F612 FLOORIIIQGAND SIMILAR PURPOSES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledFeb. 21. 1927 k\\\\\\\\ 'IIIIIII INVENTQR Durion ,4. Fhnce J I J:

ATTORNEY 7: an: J

Patented Oct. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BURTON A. PRINCE, OF WESTIEIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO IRVING IRONWORKS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

METAL AND- CONCRETE STRUCTURE FOR FLOORING AND SIMILAR IZURPOSES.

Application filed February 21, 1927; Serial No. 169,770.

This invention relates to improvements in a structural unit that isessentially a slab. This unit lends itself particularly to use as abridge flooringand in this specification its application to that type ofuse will be d1scussed and disclosed. It will be apparent, however, thatmany other fields for, and applications of, this type of constructionexist and in describing the ap lication of thls structural unit tobridge oorin I 'do not wish to limit myself to that use a one.

7 This unit, which i essentially a slab, finds a plicat-ion in thefollowing general types of construction: bridge flooring; flooring;ceilings; roofs,walls; partitions; road surfacing; overhead passageways,etc.

This invention involves the employment, ina floor structure, ofaplurality ofv associated units, each of which comprises a supportingelement, preferably of U-shaped cross section or of some cross sectionadapted to cooperate with others in the formation of a channel member,for holding a zigzag or transverse bar or bars to form with it a floorinsurface, with or without a. suitable body 0 filling material, such asconcrete, in

which said bar or bars ma be embedded.

There is a needfora su stitute for lanking and ordinary reenforcedconcrete or use as bridge and other flooring. This need has resultedfrom trafiic changes both with respect to the number of vehicles and totheir type. Manfy existing brid es must be re-, planked at requentinterva Ordinary reenforced concrete slabs are very heavy. Many brid eswere originally designed for li hter loa s than are now commonly aphedto them. In addition, many of the exlsting structures will not carry thedead load which would result from the use of a concrete type of bridgefloorinlg.

, Iam well aware that eretofore bridge flooring has been armored withiron or steel plate but the use of this ty e of surface does not embodymany of the a vantages that are to be found in the invention which Ihere describe.

One type of construction that finds application to bridge flooring andwhich I particularly wish to claim is as follows: A structural unitconsisting of a series of U-shaped sections, or channel irons, which areplaced side b side with their vertical webs in contact with each other,the bottoms of the channel irons resting 'directly on the'supportingmembers of the bridge structure, in the case of wooden bridges on thetimbers or bridge joists, or on the I beams if of iron work.

These U-shaped sections are suitably fastened to the supporting membersas by nailing, riveting, or bolting. Located inthe channel irons arezigzag shaped bars. For the purpose of preventing rust, the metalportions may be coated with asphalt, tarvia, or other common corrosionreventers or the sections may be separate by a strip of tarred paper orsimilar material which will prevent the entrance of moisture betweenthem. It isevident that a structure of this latter sort will also allowfor expansion and contraction due to temperature changes.

An important feature of this invention is that no forms such as arecommonly used in reenforced concrete constructions are necessary for itsinstallation, the channel members serving this purpose and remaining asan integral part of the construction.

The best form of apparatus embodying my invention at present known tome, with certain modifications thereof, are illustrated in theaccompanying two sheets of drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showmg a portion of the bridgefioorin assembled and resting directly on two 0 the floor beams of awooden bridge. This figure also shows the reticulated or zigzag bars-in-. serted in the channel-shaped sections, parts being broken away. i

1 Fig. 2 is a detail vertical sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of a modification showing the insertion oftarred paper or felt between the vertical webs of the channel irons.

Fig. 4 shows a view of a modified channel iron that is so designed as toprevent the entrance of water or moisture between the vertical adjacentwebs.

Fig. 5 is a cross section of a unit showing a modified form ofreticulated bar.

Fig. 6 is a cross section of a modified channel member.

Fig.6 is a detail view showing a modified fastening and tread-formingmeans.

Fig. 7. is a view of several U-shaped members assembled without anyfiller bars or composition.

' 8 is a view of a modification of the channel member having an enlargedbase part.

Fig. 9 is a further modification showing a V-shaped groove betweentruncated trapezoidal-shaped channel members.

'Fig. 10 is a view showing U-shaped channels formed by angle irons laidside by side.

. Fi 11 is a view showing channels com-- Throughout the drawings likereference-- characters indicate like parts. 1 designates a series ofchannel or U-shaped metal-members each having the horizontal web portion2 and the vertical web portions 3 and 4. These members, inconstructingthe bridge or other flooring, may be placed side by side so that theirvertical web portions 3 and 4 are directly in contact as shown in Figs.1, 2, 4, 6 and 7. The horizontal webs are placed directly on the woodenbridge joists or 'rders 5 and 6, two of which are shown in ig. -1, andare secured in place by means of the spikes which are passed through theopenings 7 into the wooden joists below, of the floor supportingstructures. Located within each of'the U-shaped or channel members is azigzag-shaped bar 8 having the flat vertical portions 9 and 10, theportions 10- engaging the vertical inner surfaces of the channel member.These portions 10 may besecured to the vertical webs 3 and 4 ofthechannel members by rivets, or by electric spot welding as indicatedin Figs. 1 and 2 at 11,01 by other fastening means, or the bars may beallowed to lie loosely in said members. The bars 8- may be termedreticular bars since they divide or separate the space in the U-shapedchannel members into reticulated or cellular spaces.

It will be noticed that the bars 8 form pockets 12 or cellular spacesextending from the upper edges of channel members to the bottom webs 2thereofand rest directly on .the-latter in the preferred form of thein-,

vention illustrated. This, however, is not always necessary. In thesepockets is placed a suitable filling material as concrete, asphalt,tarvia, or nailcrete' indicated by the numeral 14. By reason of thechannel members 1 being placed closely together the I pockets 12, whenfilled will form a continuous upper surface. The bars provide a nonskidsurface at their upper edges.

If desired, the outer surfaces of the vert cal webs 3 and 4 may firsthave applied thereto a .rust resisting substance, such as asphaltAlseejroofin paper, to form a water-tight joint, may he placed betweenthe vertical webs as shown at 15 in Fig. '3. This last'would also allowfor lateral expansion of the channel members.

' It is clear that this bridge flooring may be readily constructed byfirst assembling the U-shaped membersl and the zigzag members 8 in theshop, if they are to be fastened together, then securing them to thewooden joists or I beams ofthe bridge structure as by means of the nails7 if wooden supports are used. Other suitable fastening means would beused if an iron or steel supporting structure is employed; The concreteor other filling material in plastic condition is next inserted in thespaces 12, preferably on the job, and allowed to set flush with theupper ed es 13 of the bars 8 and of flanges 3 and 4 see Fig. 2). The useof forms is therefore entirely eliminated.

An important feature is in the use of U- shaped or channel members whichare laced directly on the joists or I beams and slde by side. Thesemembers in themselves, therefore, form a closed bottom or flooring forthe filling material when inserted in the spaces 12;

In the modification shown in Fig. 4 the channel members are formed withone side 3 of each extended so as to overlap the upright side 4 of theadjacent section. This is for thepurpose of making the joints between'the channel sections or units waterproof.

It also serves as a fastening means,

In the modification shown in Fig. 5 the special form of filler bar 18 isshown with lower portions cut away at 19 so that only downwardlyprojecting portions '17 of each bar bear on the bottom web 16 of thechannel member. This permits the corners 16' of the U-shaped crosssection of the channel member to be curved, more or less, without thebars 18 jamming against the inwardly inclined portions of the verticalwebs so formed. This makes it easier .to roll out the channel member andreduces the liability to fracture which might occur in trying to roll itout with sharp corners at the meeting of side and bottom webs.

In the modification shown inFig. 6 the same results are obtained byrolling a slightly raised section 20 in the bottom of the channelmember. A plain zigzag bar 8 may then be used, as in Flg. 1, but with nodanger of its jammng more or less in the bottom of the channel member ifthe latter has rounded inner corners, as there shown.

Fig. 6 shows a modification in a perspec-' is shown at 40) notched tointermesh by means of-slots 41 with the vertical webs of the channelmembers, which latter may be of any form, though that shown in Fig. 6 isillustrated. Bars then take the place of K bars 8 in forming part of thetread surface of the unit.

Fig. 7 illustrates the Idea of assembling several U-shaped or channelmembers 1 without any filler bars. In this construction the width of thesections preferably would be less than that shown in other figures ofthe drawing, where filler bars are used. The

sections can be fastened together in any con-.

.formin which the grooves 23 that are formed between the adjacentchannel members 24 are V-shaped and the channels proper aresubstantially trapezoidal in cross section. The lower webs of thesemembers will, of course, rest directly on thejoists or other supportingstructure of the bridge.

The channel members 24 may receive zigzag bars such as shown in Fig. 1which will extend across their upper open spaces 25.

Fig. 10 shows the troughs 26 of the desired U-shaped cross sectionformed by adj acent L-shaped angle irons 27 which are substantially incontact, one with another.

In Fig. 11 the channels or troughs '28 are formed by arranging theU-shaped members -1 alternately with the inverted T-shaped members29.

In Fig.-12 the channels 30 are formed by arranging a plurality ofinverted T-shaped members 29 side by side.

In Fig. 13 the channels 31 are formed by arranging the angle irons 32 inpairs, back to back, these various pairs being adjacent one to another.

In all of these. forms a structural unit is obtained to support the loadand. at the same time to provide a form for the filling material ofconcrete, tarvia, etc.

Broadly stated, I have produced a steel flooring which is com osed ofunits whose horizontal webs, or. the units are assembled adjacent one toanother, will form a continuous plate floor, which will act as a form orsupport for the filling material, such as concrete, which 00- operatestherewith to form a road, floor, or roofing, and will also act as asupport for the retlculated barsor cross bars located in or on thechannel members, while the vertical webs of said channel members affordstrength to the flooring for. carrying the load, and their u per edgestake the wear and shock, and also have a non-skid effect.

v It may be noted that the exterior of the anges or legs, when ous metalsurface, which may serve as a steel ceiling of neat design.

Also, when these channels are filled with nailcrete or similar material,wooden flooring or roofing of any kind may be fastened directly to it,as by nailing, without the need of inserting screeds or nailing stripstherein. 'In this last "application, it would got be necessary to usethe zigzag or cross ars.

The application of the filler bar is a particularly important part ofthe invention when no other covering material is used because withoutit, using just the troughs, one could not confine any of the softermaterials for the filling 14 as they would roll up under traflic. Alsothe steel armoring would not be so well distributed nor have such goodanti-skid efl'ect. Furthermore, if the units were laid acrossthedirection "of trafiic, the surface would be more bumpy, as

.the filling became hollowed out by wear and pressure, than would be thecase if the filler bars are used.

Havin described my invention, I claim:

1. A ooring structure comprising, in combination, a plurality ofU-shaped mem-' bers placed side by side and with their bottom websdesigned to rest on a supporting structure, and means located 1n theirinteriors, fordivldlng said lnteriors 1nto a plu- -rality of spaces orpockets to receive a filling material.

2. A structure such as defined in claim 1 of pockets which meanscomprises bent bars placed in the channels.

4. A combination such as defined in claim 3- 'in which said bent bars.are partly cut away so as to 'rest only on the middle por-; tions ofthe bottom webs of said channel members.

5. A floorlng structure comprising in combination a plurality ofmemberswhich are assembled .side by side in contact relation to form chamielspaces, means for dividing the channel spaces into a series of pockets,said divided spaces being severally filled with concrete material toassist in providing a wearing upper surface, and means for securing thedividing means to said members.

6. A structure comprising in combination a plurality of channel-shapedmembers which are assembled side by side in contact relation, means fordividing the channel spaces into a series of pockets comprising bentbars placed therein, means for securing the bent bars to thechannelshaped memflush with the upper edges of the said members andbars. 0 c I p 7, The cembination, with the; supporting structure of abridge, of a plurality of U- shaped members arranged sideby side withtheir vertical Webs in contact relation',said members having theirhorizontal webs resting directly on said bridge structure, and azigzag'barlocated in each of said members adapted to divide the space insaid member into a plurality of pockets for receiving a concretefilling; substantially asfdescribed.

8. A construction comprising, in combination, members which formparallel adjacent channels when assembled, means for dividing each ofsaid channels into a plurality of spaces and an'originally plasticmaterial fillingthe spaces so formed. 7

9. A combination such as defined in claim 8 in which said dividing meanscomprises laterally bent metal strips deposited edgewise in saidchannels and resting on the bottoms thereof.

10. A combination such as defined in claim 8 in whichthe bottom webs ofsaid channel members have their middle portions raised raised portionssaid spacing members are supported. v V

11. A combination such as defined in claim abovethe other portions, 2 onsaid 8 in which the bottom web of each channel member is perforated 'toreceive a member adapted to fasten it to a suppc-rti-ngbeam; 12. Astructure suchas defined in claim 8 in which one verticalweb of eachchannel member isbent outwardly and downwardly to overlap theadjacentvertical web 0:? the nei hboring channel member.

A unit designed to be assembled with duplicates thereof to form a floor,which unit comprises the combination of a metallic channelmember ofapproximately U-shaped cross section and a metal strip attached to thesides of said channel member and extending across the same, whereby saidchannel is divided intoia plurality of individualspaces adapted toreceive a plastic filling material in which said dividing strip willthen be embedded.

14. A combination such as defined in claim 1 in which said dividingmember is a zignel.

'BU'RTeN A." PRINCE.

zag strip of metal lying wholly in said chan-

